Seth moved behind me, taking my hand and placing it against the spot the latest mark had appeared. Feel it in here. Do you?
Feel the cord? Check. I also liked the fact that he was now blocking the worst of the wind.
Okay. Picture the cord unraveling, feel it coming alive.
I had a feeling Seth was enjoying this way too much, considering how he was pressed against me.
Alex?
Yeah, I feel the cord. I did feel it opening up, slithering through my veins.
Good. The cord is not just us, he said softly. Its akashathe fifth and final element. You should feel akasha now. Tap into it. Picture what you want in your mind.
I wanted a taco, but I doubted akasha could serve me up some Taco Bell. Gods, Id do some terrible things for Taco Bell right about now.
Alex, are you paying attention?
Of course. I smirked.
Then do it. Blow up the rock.
Seth made it sound so easy. Like a toddler could do this. I wanted to elbow him in the stomach, but I pictured the rock and then pictured my cord shooting from my hand. I did this over and over again.
Nothing happened.
I opened my eyes. Sorry, this isnt working.
Seth moved away, brushing back the shorter stands of hair that fell out of his ponytail. He popped his hands on his hips and stared at me.
What? Another gust of biting wind had me shuffling to stay warm. I dont know what you want me to do. Im cold. Im hungry. And I saw that National Lampoons Christmas Vacation is on TV for some odd reason and I must watch it since you soaked up all the time it was on TV during Christmas.
His brows inched up. Watch what?
Oh, my gods! You do not know of the trials and tribulations of the Griswold family?
Huh?
Wow. Thats kind of sad, Seth.
He waved his hand. It doesnt matter. Something must trigger your ability to tap into akasha. If only A thoughtful look crept over his expression and then he clasped his hands. The first time you did it, you were pissed. And then when you went all crazy ninja on the furies, you were angry and scared. You have to be pushed .
Oh, no no no. I started backing up. I know where you are going with this and Im not doing this with you. I mean it, Seth. Dont you
Seth raised his hand and the air element smacked me in the chest, knocking me flat on my back. Fighting the use of the elements was something I had gotten a bit better with. I did tap into the power then and I felt the cord tense, then snap. I buckled, breaking through what felt like hurricane-force winds. Rising up, my hair blew straight back.
I was going to maim Seth.
Then he was on me, using his weight to force me back against the coarse, dead grass. Small pebbles dug into my back as I squirmed under him. Get off, Seth!
Make me, he said, lowering his face to mine.
I tipped my hips, wrapped my legs around his waist and rolled. For a second, I had the advantage and I wanted to wrap my chilled fingers around his neck and choke the living crap out of him. I didnt like being pinned or the ensuing feeling of helplessness. And Seth knew that.
Not like that, Seth grunted. He grasped my shoulders, flipping me onto my back. Use akasha.
We struggled, rolling through the small bushes. He was growing more frustrated each time he slammed me back, and I was feeling murderous. Rage, sweet and heady, rushed through me, twisting around the cord. I felt it building. My skin was tingling. The marks of the Apollyon seared and pulsed.
Seths lips curved. Thats it. Do it.
I screamed.
And then Leon was above us, grabbing Seth by the scruff of his neck and tossing him several feet back. He twisted in midair like a cat, landing in a crouch. The marks of the Apollyon came out all at once, blurring across his skin in dizzying speeds. He zeroed in on Leon. There was something deadly in his eyesthe same look hed given the Master after hed hit me. I thought of Jackson.
I jumped to my feet, rushing Seth. No! No, Seth!
You really shouldnt have done that. Seth advanced, his intentions clear.
Leon arched a brow. You want to try that, boy?
You want to die?
Stop it, I hissed, squirming between them. I looked over my shoulder at Leon. The pure-blood Sentinel didnt even look concerned. He was crazy. Leon, we were training.
Thats not what it looked like to me.
Over Seths broad shoulder, I saw several Guards and Aiden heading our way. I hoped they picked up their pace and got here before one of these
idiots did something stupid.
Leon, he wasnt hurting me, I tried again.
What do you think youre going to do? Seth demanded. To me?
He stared down at Seth. You really think you can take me, dont you?
I dont think. Akasha, brilliant and beautiful, surrounded his right hand. The air crackled around the ball. I know.
This was insane. I grabbed Seths arm and a rush of anger hit me. I wanted to attack Leon, needed to show him that he was messing with the wrong person, that I was better than him. He wouldnt dare touch me again. I was going to show him.
Bring it, Leon said, his voice low.
Hey! yelled Aiden. Thats enough!
Seth and Leon moved at the same time, both of them knocking me aside. The combination of their arms sweeping out and hitting me sent me flying backward. I hit the boulder Id been trying to blow up, tumbling over the top. Twisting so I didnt hit the soggy marsh face first, I landed on my hands and knees. Icy muck saturated my jeans and splashed my face.